Today, you’ll enjoy Lima’s vibrant modern centre. Start by discovering Peru’s extraordinary pre-Columbian history with a visit to the Huaca Huallamarca archeological site in San Isidro, offering a dazzling insight into the city’s blend of old and new. Continue to the Parque del Amor, or ‘Love Park’, dedicated to the world’s many romantics – be sure to check out ‘The Kiss,’ the park’s sensual central statue. Spend the afternoon exploring the many galleries of the vibrant Barranco district, known for its colourful street art and brilliant culinary scene.
Tonight, enjoy an evening spent at one of Lima’s most revered restaurants, La Huaca Pucllana. Feast on authentic Peruvian plates overlooking pre-Incan ruins that once served as a vital ceremonial centre for the region. Expect a set menu consisting of sumptuous dishes that blend tradition and cutting-edge culinary techniques — such as crayfish chowder with corn and goat’s cheese, pumpkin ravioli served with pink peppers and kimchi, mango and ceviche tacos.
After breakfast, it’s time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will travel approximately 90 minutes north to the lush hinterland of the Sacred Valley. As you travel, you’ll see golden maize crops peeping over terraces carved high into the valley walls — for centuries, the region has been one of the agricultural lynchpins of the Andes. Stop along the way to explore local craft history at the Awana Kancha textile centre, then see the finished products at the artisan market in the small village of Pisac.
Enjoy lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari, an authentic farming estate set apart by spellbinding views over the Sacred Valley. Enjoy a cosy and authentic buffet meal drawing on the culinary traditions of Peru – expect trout and tuna causa, Andean white corn soup and pork chops with fava beans. It’s a magical introduction to the region.
Continue to your hotel. After checking in, you’re free to acclimatise and discover this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city.
After breakfast, visit the Maras Salt Ponds and the Moray’s circular terraces. In Moray, learn how the Incas originally built the huge terraces in limestone sinks to manage crop production, allowing each plant to thrive in the perfect conditions at high altitudes. Maras is just as breathtaking — salt-filled springs emerge from the hillside that were used throughout history as a source of wealth for ancient and modern Peruvians alike.
Enjoy lunch at Iskay Maras, a small restaurant offering artfully prepared, homecooked meals drawing on the Sacred Valley’s abundance of local and seasonal ingredients. Return to the hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
After breakfast, drive through the lush Urubamba Valley and visit Emperor Pachacuti’s colossal stone fortress-temple, Ollantaytambo. Get lost in the maze-like streets of the town of the same name, which has been inhabited continuously for almost 800 years, and feel awe as you walk through one of the best-preserved areas of the ancient inhabitants of the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo fortress is notable for being one of the rare locations where the invading Spanish lost a major battle against the Incas — and once you step into the shadow of the massive ruins, you’ll understand why. Of special interest to travellers is a nearby rock formation, representing the Inca creator deity Viracocha, and a visit to a local family’s house.
Take lunch at El Chuncho, a restaurant showcasing the flavours of Ollantaytambo, focusing on traditional, native-focused dishes and hyper-local ingredients, many grown on the venue’s own farm.
Next, board the Vistadome panoramic train to Aguas Calientes, a picturesque Peruvian town that serves as your last stop in the modern world before reaching the heights of Machu Picchu. Take a deep breath of fresh mountain air and check in to your accommodation in town, before enjoying the afternoon at leisure.
Wake up early and meet your group’s private guide as you move through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and descend along the edge of the Urubamba River. You’ll pass through cloud forests as you head toward Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Embark on a guided tour of antiquity’s most impressive metropolis, starting with the complex’s upper terrace. Be astonished by the incredibly well-preserved stonework of the city, seemingly emerging naturally out of the rock itself, and get lost in the mysteries of the site, never revealed to the conquistadors. Make sure you’ve brought your camera — this is the perfect chance to snap an unforgettable photograph of a place born seemingly from mythology.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to modern life, with a train and private transfer whisking you away to Cusco. Considered the archaeological capital of the Americas, Cusco exists as one of the world’s highest settlements — sitting a cosy 3,450 metres above sea level — and is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America. As you explore this ancient city, once the imperial capital of the Inca Empire, you’ll come across ancient pre-Spanish stonework, pass colonial-era buildings, and witness cultural marvels. Check in to your accommodation and enjoy the evening at leisure.
After breakfast, explore four of Cusco’s most magnificent ruins, including Sacsayhuaman, an ancient religious site masterfully crafted out of colossal rocks and offering a glorious view of the city below. You’ll also explore Coricancha, Cusco’s sacred to Inti, the Inca sun god, and wander through the city’s cathedral and main square. Finish up at San Pedro Market, a dazzling collection of stalls and artisans offering everything from alpaca wool jumpers to sizzling street food and local fruits (try cherimoya, Peru’s native, custard-like apple). It’s a wonderful way to spend the afternoon and an authentic glimpse into how business has been conducted in Cusco for centuries.
Tonight’s farewell dinner is at Calle del Medio, a local restaurant showcasing spectacular views over the city’s main square.
Say a hearty ‘chau!’ to Cusco as you are transferred to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) for the next part of your journey.